ID vs Contractor

Jes , 55 Comments

Following my last post regarding renovation tips, I got a few enquiries on the comparison between interior designers and contractors. Most people would be more familiar with ID because they have showrooms or are located at shopping malls for walk in enquiries. For contractors, it's always word-of-mouth because they don't publicise their services to end customers and mostly do projects for businesses and even IDs.

To get everyone more familiar with both terms, I am listing the differences here.


1) Price
I was pretty hardworking and went to 5 different IDs to get a price indication of renovation. Boy, was I completely shocked. A basic 4 room for cost around $40k to $50k is no joke for any couple. Not including the banquet, photography and honeymoon, this amount is totally not what I hope to pay. Scrutinising the quotes got from my friends who went through IDs also got the same price. This just cannot be right. Luckily, I have some friends who recommended me to a decent contractor. The end amount cost more than half of ID's quote, which is $20k.

2) Specialisations
All contractors have specialisations into different areas. Some only do flooring, some only do carpentry work, some do windows and doors. For whole house renovation, you will need to find a main contractor who can coordinate the different work for you. It's high chance that contractors know one another so you can also ask them for referrals. The main contractor will normally contact the other sub-contractors and introduce you to them. Then, you can head down to each factories to choose the colours and materials. For IDs, they pretty much cover everything and will bring you around to choose things.

3) Coordination
A myth about contractors is that you have to work with a few of them. That is not true. The main contractor will still coordinate for you, just that you need to go down to different places to see the materials. It's the same for IDs, they will also bring you to different places to buy things. Many people thought a contractor does not help you to install bathroom fittings and receive delivery items, that is not true. They can definitely do so. Truthfully, perhaps an ID will help to simplify things as you choose everything that is under them.


4) Themes
The IDs have computer graphics to show you samples on how your end result would be like. You can even pick and choose your themes and styles and get pictures for them. Those are free for some IDs. You can even take the pictures to go to other ID or contractors, which I am sure some people do that. For me, I knew what I wanted to do so an ID did not help much. I don't go for themes, I go for practicality but that's just me. Not all contractors can help you with a theme so speak to them and decide for yourself.

5) Ideas
Doing a house renovation is a hands on project for me. I chose everything instead of leaving it to the ID to choose for me. This is why I was able to save more money. If you allow them to decide, you never know the extra that they charge you. Comparing item by item, an ID charge higher than a contractor, which is why the final amount cost so much different. I have friends who did built-in wardrobe and built-in study tables but in the end, they demolish it to make room for higher rental charges. Don't be too hasty to listen to your ID on how to make your house like a show room because it may not be what you want. Admittedly, a contractor might give you less ideas on how to furnish your room according to your theme so it's definitely good to talk to an ID for a start.
If you have such a house, definitely go for an ID, price is not an issue anymore!
Conclusion
It all boils down to price. If you feel the price is reasonable then both are fine. Compare the quotes, research and get them to rectify it immediately if it is not what you wanted. Communication is very important because they need to put your ideas into fruition and no matter ID or contractor, a good one will definitely give you less headaches.

Thankfully, I have no regrets 4 years on.

______________________________________________________________________________________________
Like me on Facebook to be updated about other family finance issues. I am overwhelmed with requests to send my contractor's details so I post it here. Les Tech is the company name and they supplied the tiles for my whole house. I also went with the contractors they recommended because after all, they know who can be trusted. I have had no problems after 5 years of living in my new house. Do compare quotes and no obligations!

Jes

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55 comments:

  1. Hi Jes, thanks for the helpful info above. I'd been struggling between ID and contractor as well. If you don't mind, can share your contractor contacts? Thanks in advanced!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jamie,

      Sure I don't mind sharing. Do drop me a mail or let me know your email so I can send to you :)

      Delete
  2. Hi Jas, chance upon your blog as i have the same issue debating on main contractors or ID and is currently sourcing ideas on my renovation. Do you mind to share the main contractor contacts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joey,

      Sure just drop me your mail I will send to you :)

      Delete
    2. Many thanks. My email is joeyychow@gmail.com :)

      Delete
  3. Hi Jes, I chanced upon your blog. Would you be able to share the contact to the contractor you used? My email is ravin_21@hotmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi jes, possible to share with me the contact as well? Im new to renovation and what i can find online is mainly ID.
    My email is darrick_peng@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jes, pls share with me your contractor contact. My email cqwtankba@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Jes, nicely done article :) Could you share with me your contractor contact? My email is yussuf87@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jes, would like your contractor contact as well. bertnerd@gmail.com
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, care to share your contractor contact? Is your contact a main contractor? :) jazr33long@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      My contact is selling tiles but he will recommend a main contractor for you if you are interested. I went with what they recommended!

      Delete
  9. Hi, care to share your contractor...my email waklu@msn.com...thanks

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, Can please share your contractor contact? my email is l33lilyana@gmail.com.
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi, chanced upon your blog.. would you mind to share the contact with me? My email is cynnping@gmail.com
    Many thanks

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Jes, mind sharing the contractor list to Ng.kian.kee@gmail.com?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Jes, mind sharing the contact of the contractor? Thanks in advice.. louis_lincoln@outlook.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi there! I'm currently looking for a reliable contractor and we're really on a tight budget. Chanced upon your site. Mind sharing with me the contact? Thanks a bunch! My email is purplezz8707@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, please read the footer at the end of this blog post for the details as I have posted it here!

      Delete
  15. Hi Jes, could you share the contractor contact with me too :) Thanks. Jessica.jlsk@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, please read the footer at the end of this blog post for the details as I have posted it here!

      Delete
  16. Hi Jes, I am also looking for a contractor to do renovation of my house. Could you share with me the contact details of the contractor you engaged? My email address is Amitjain.mca@gmail.com. Thanks in advance! Amit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, please read the footer at the end of this blog post for the details as I have posted it here!

      Delete
  17. Hi Jes, do u mind sharing your contractors? Ty.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Jes, possible to get the contractor detail? My email is : habib1@singnet.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, please read the footer at the end of this blog post for the details as I have posted it here!

      Delete
  19. Hi Jes, can share with me the contractor detail? My email is dorrain34@hotmail.com. Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, please read the footer at the end of this blog post for the details as I have posted it here!

      Delete
  20. Hi Jes, thanks your blog. Do you mind share with me the contractor’s details. Thank you..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alicia,

      I just called Les Tech and asked them for the recommendation for their contractors. They have a few familiar ones and they know the industry so I felt safe to go with what they advised! Hope this helps.

      Delete
  21. Hi I have a 2room flat to do renovation and they are asking for more than $20k, yet your 4 room flat is only at a quotation of $20k. Can you please share with me the contractor's details? Mine came furnished with quite a fair bit of things so I really don't see the point of paying so much too.. I was checking the footer of your blog post but I don't see any except Les tech- the tiles supplier.. can you please email me at sian_nua@yahoo.com.sg?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jasxteo,

      I just called Les Tech and asked them for the recommendation for their contractors. They have a few familiar ones and they know the industry so I felt safe to go with what they advised! Hope this helps.

      Delete
  22. Hi care to share at theoryoflyla@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Jes, able to share with me the contractor(s) detail? My email is samuelchan1988@gmail.com. Thank you very much.

    Reply

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Jes, if you don't mind can share with me on your contractor details too?
    Email: nuriszawaty@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Jes, can share the contractor(s) detail? My email is azure_glitx@yahoo.com. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Jes,

    can you share your contractor contacts, my email swt_57@ahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Jes,

    can you share your contractor contacts, my email swt_57@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow, Thank you so much for your post. I'm contemplating not to have built-in wardrobes because I really don't see a need for me to spend so much when I could just buy one off the shelf. But everyone seems to have very beautiful houses with all the built-in which makes me feel like I'm making a wrong choice. Thanks for affirming my thoughts. :D

    Shan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shan,

      No problem! I have had the same concerns previously and seeing many of my friends doing built-in this and that is a kind of peer pressure too! I am glad I resisted and I am sure you will still be happy about it 5 years down the road.

      Thanks for letting me know! :)

      Delete
  29. Hi Jess! Thank you for sharing your experiences. May I have your contractor contact? My email is yummyplant@gmail.com. thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Jess, great article thanks so much for sharing your experience! Can I also ask for your main contractor's contact? My email is pinglynn.neo@gmail.com. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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